Greg Winter, an editor for the New York Times, gave a guest lecture to the students of KSU on internatioal human rights in the media.
New York Times Foreign Desk editor Greg Winter spoke at KSU last Thursday to shed light on the media’s role in covering international human rights issues.
Winter focused primarily on how news reporters cover matters of social injustices abroad and what correspondents have to endure in-country. The event “Human Rights, Democracy, and the Role of the Media,” hosted by the KSU chapter of the American Democracy Project, brought out more than 50 KSU students and faculty members.
According to Winter, media bias is one of public’s biggest concerns regarding the news industry. Many condemn the coverage of human rights abroad as a liberally slanted agenda. But the Times editor feels that is far from the case.
Winter suggested that social injustices that impact a large population are world events and merit coverage regardless social or political influence. For that reason, Winter wished to, “demystify the process of selecting stories,” to those in attendance.
During his speech, Winter stated that during his career at the Times he has never been influenced by the government or their publishers to withhold or alter the coverage of world events for political or economic gains. Instead he argues it is the media’s responsibility to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
“It is our job to be a thorn in the side of any government,” Winter said.
However, the drive to maintain the accountability of governments both home and abroad does not take precedence over national security or the safety of soldiers and correspondents stationed overseas. According to Winter, the Times withheld content that would have otherwise risked the lives of American citizens as well as their local aid and sources during its coverage of the WikiLeaks scandal.
The Times takes great effort to ensure the safety and security of their correspondents when they report from war-torn locations. As a foreign desk editor, Winter is responsible for stationing reporters in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and the European Union while insuring their general safety. A reporter who enters a warzone must volunteer and go through various steps to prepare themselves for their assignment.
First they must go through a course on self-defense, familiarity with firearms and hostage situations. Then they must reserve security forces—usually comprised of locals armed with AK-47s and armored vehicles called “technicals”—to protect them from hostile forces while covering unstable nations like Somalia or Syria. Often times, western journalists are at risk of being kidnapped for ransom by rogue forces or even detained by the host-nation’s government.
“Most of my correspondents have been detained, arrested, or turned away at some time,” Winter said.
Despite the obvious risks to foreign reporters, Winter wished to draw attention to the greater danger for local journalists and citizens who cooperate with outsiders. While foreign journalists have the support of their national diplomats, citizens caught in treasonous acts often face jailing or even execution. Regardless, both journalists’ and their local sources’ roles are vital to the dissemination of international news. Both parties’ drive to uncover the truth and influence government transparency inspires foreign correspondents and their local counterparts to continue reporting in spite of the risks they face daily.
In closing his speech, Winter wished the audience would leave with a better understanding of the news selection process as well as the risk that comes with covering social injustices in conflict zones. Dr. Ralph J. Rascati, the dean of University College and co-coordinator of the American Democracy Project, was exceptionally pleased with the program.
“Those who were there were very engaged,” said Rascati.
Of those in attendance, Kenneth Simpson, a senior and philosophy major, greatly appreciated the event despite not being personally involved in journalism. He felt that the student population could have benefitted from Winter’s message regardless of their major or career path.
“Coming from a perspective devoid of experience in the media, understanding the system of how the news is developed and exactly what impact it has was significant… to me at least,” said Simpson.
Danielle O’Connell, a senior communications major in attendance, said she benefitted greatly from the focus on the journalistic process and valued Winter’s insight on the field.
“It was really great to hear from someone who is so diversified in the journalism field. He brought a lot of real world experience so I can better predict what the work world may bring,” said O’Connell.
